Adnan Januzaj named best teenage player in Europe

The 19-year-old Kosovar-Albanian prodigy was raised Muslim in Belgium. At six years old he was brought into the FC Brussels youth development program, and at 10 moved to Anderlecht, another club in Belgium. At 16 he drew the attention of Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, who signed Januzaj in 2011 and debuted him on their top-level squad this season.

Januzaj has enjoyed a breakout season for David Moyes’ side this season where he has been one of the very few players to come through with his reputation enhanced. In his first season in the senior side after outgrowing the under-21 ranks last season, the Belgian born youngster has looked at ease surrounded by the club’s established talents and has been one of the few positives to emerge from a bleak season.

While Januzaj is eligible to play for Belgium, Albania, Kosovo, Turkey and Serbia on the international level, he has not yet committed to any country’s national team. Belgium is the only one of that group that qualified for the 2014 World Cup.